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Sunday, April 19, 2015

Look
At the praying hands.
Closely see the marked veins
And the crooked fingers
That point to the Heavens.
Look
Beyond these hands
The sacrifices
They went through
Just for you to lift
A wine glass
For a toast.
***
Tan-awa Ro Mga Nagapangade nga mga Alima
Ni Melchor F. Cichon
April 19, 2015

Thursday, April 16, 2015

It
was in December 2014 when I first saw her together with a faculty
member, a photographer, a male model, and a librarian. Except for the
photographer, all the rest are from Aklan Catholic College, Kalibo,
Aklan.

They were having a photo shoot inside the Aklan Catholic College Library (ACC).

I am referring to Mel Constantino, a faculty
member; Darlene Braza, a Librarian; a photographer, and a college
student. And the model I am referring to is known as Dana Ba Nana. I
knew it was just her Facebook name.

While
they were doing their photo shooting, I could hear Mr. Constantino
saying "Ah" before taking every picture. I could also see that the model
looks like a professional model.

After their photo shooting, the model and her male companion sat inside the librarian’s office.

It was only then that I came near them and requested if I could also take them some pictures.They agreed.

Following
the technique used by Mel Constantino, I requested the model to say
"Ah" before I took her some pictures. It was effective.

Dana
was born on November 12,1991 in Kalibo, Aklan. She took her primary
education at Aklan Learning Center. She continued her studies at Aklan
Valley High School. Before she came to Aklan Catholic College, she took
an Associate in Information Technology degree at Aklan State
University, College of Information Technology (ASU-CIT), Kalibo, Aklan.
At ACC, she is taking up Bachelor of Elementary Education. She is now
in her fourth year.

In 2007,
she was elected as SK Chairperson until 2010. And while she was an SK
Chairperson, she was chosen as Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2009.

However,
she claimed that she wasn't that productive when she was in the
position. "There were too much hindrances. And I was still young. But
the projects I had were basketball, boxing, the arc sa pagwelcome sa
among barangay, and a few meters of cementing the road po. I wish I were
as smart and brave enough at that time para magpursue sa other things
na gusto ko matabo. Pero I’m thankful naman pona naexperienced ko doon
dahil I learned a lot. Every experience is an opportunity to learn well,
Sir.”

Her latest achievement is the 2014 ACC Quest for Ms Personality.

When I asked her if she plans to enter any beauty contests, she said no.

What
she wants is to be a teacher. And more. She wants to establish a
foundation that will someday help in establishing a school of her own.
Here is what she told me:

“Aside from being a teacher po Sir,
I would really like to have my own school, and expand it into a
college. Gusto ko may foundation po ako para makabulig ako kapin pa sa
mga inunga. Gusto ko maging inspirasyon kanda ag mabuksan ro anda nga
potential po. I will attain these through educating myself, getting the
credentials I would need, exposing myself to the kinds of problems na
naeencounter it mga mabuligan ko, finding the right people na
makabuligman kakon with the same or almost the same passion as I have,
being open minded; ag dapat yumaman ako Sir. Gapati abi ako Sir nga
dapat mabuligan ko anay ang sarili para mas makabulig ako sa iba.”

In
that case, I told her that she must have enough knowledge on
educational management. And she must have enough money to establish a
school.

So I asked her if her parents are engaged in business.

“Not
at present Sir. Noon po,very small lang.We lived in a small sari-sari
store in our home where the table flips into a bed during night time po.
Then nagkaroon man kami it 3 tricycles po yata.

Unfortunately, nalugi
kasi laging nasisira. Si Mama lang dayun du gawork as a teacher; si
Papa bilin kamon sa baeay magbantay. We again opened a sari-sari store.
For almost 2 years we had a good income from that store because many
students passed by our store.. Unfortunately, the pathway where the
students used to pass was closed by the owner of the school. So once
again our sari-sari business was discontinued."

These little
experiences on their sari-sari store and her background on public
service must have triggered her to establish a school of her own to help
the children in their community reach their dreams.

Chescery Rose Belarmino:

AklanonTV Personality, Actress, Dancer, Singer

By

Melchor F. Cichon

December 21, 2014

I met her accidentally.

One late afternoon, December 17, 2014, I was writing a haiga for a friend with a photo taken by Maxy Oconer Meñez. After I posted the finished haiga in my Facebook album, Full Moon, I scanned the other pictures taken by Maxy. One of the pictures I liked was that of another Aklanon lady: Chescery Rose Belarmino.

Inspired
by her splendor, I immediately prepared a haiga for her and again
posted it in my Facebook album. When I informed Maxy that I already have
posted the picture of one of his subjects, he suggested that I should
contact her, although my posting of the pictures he has taken has no
problem with him.

With that hint, I immediately sent her a
private message through the Facebook and asked her if I could use one
of her pictures for a haiga.

I
am so lucky today! This is a joy of being a poet. Today, I was able to
"meet" an Aklanon who is not only a wind stopper because of her splendor
but also an ABS-CBN actress. She is one of the actresses in Home
Sweetie Home show. Her name: Chescery Rose Belarmino of Batan,Aklan. I
featured here in my Facebook album: Full Moon.

She was born on March 22, 1999 in Sta. Cruz-Biga-a, Lezo, Aklan to parents who are both athletics.

When she reached Grade Three, she joined in a running competition for a primary level.

When
she reached Grade Four, she was the representative of Aklan to the West
Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet. And won a prize.

From
then on, she has been representing Aklan for this annual regional meet.
She was sent to Vietnam as the Philippine representative in a running
competition. There she won 5th place among the ASEAN runners in the girl
category.

She also broke two Palarong Pambansa 2012
record in the elementary girl's 800-meter run set by Joneza Mie
Sustituedo in 2011 and the 1, 500-meter race elementary girls with
4.49.9 seconds in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

And when she runs, she is barefooted.

Why barefooted?

When
I interviewed her in her residence on February 13, 2015 in Sta.
Cruz-Biga-a, Lezo, Aklan, she told me that it is much lighter for her to
run without spiked shoes.

Once she wore spiked shoes in a running competition, she collapsed. And of course, she lost in that event.

After that event, she never wear spiked shoes in all her running competitions. And won medals. Usually gold medal.

In
the Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association 2015 (WVRAA 2015)
meet held in Aklan, she won three gold medals in running. She competed
in the 400 and 800 meter dash.

I am referring to Anjelica Mamagat de Josef.

Since the family de Josef is not familiar to me being a native of Lezo, Aklan myself, I asked her where her roots came from.

She said that her grandfather came from Libacao, Aklan,

But then her father and mother have been residents of Sta. Cruz-Biga-a, Aklan.

Except for her father, all the members of her family are all runners, including her mother. Her father plays basketball.

So I asked her what is her secret as a prize winning runner.

She said that she likes to eat vegetables. Eating meat, particularly pork, is not in her menu.

And she keeps on practicing. This she said is the key to her extra-ordinary performances.

To
attain the needed stamina, she runs from Sta. Cruz-Biga-a, Lezo to
Numancia, about five kilometers away. But she rides a jeep when she
returns to her residence. She wears spiked shoes when she practices.

The
other secret that she has is the banyos (a combination of oil of winter
green, alcohol and omega pain killer) which is applied to her legs
after each run. Her elder sister is her official masseuse

But
she has a little problem. Her right knee is aching probably because of
too much running. If this problem will not be cured immediately, this
might cause a bigger problem later.

When I asked her about her academics--she is now a Third Year student in Lezo Integrated School--she said she is doing well.

And
after graduation, she said that she might enroll in the University of
Sto. Tomas, Manila. A coach from this university has offered her a
scholarship.

Another university which she is
considering is the Far Eastern University in Manila because the same
scholarship has also been offered to her.

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

He can be remembered through the trees he has
planted or the books he has written. He can also be remembered through the
positive values he had shown to His God, to his surroundings and to his
country. These acts maybe manifested by helping others in time of their crises
and predicaments.

The various
sequences of my life are vividly illustrated in this biography to serve as a
guiding star that may shade lights to my children and grandchildren in their
search for the correct path to success.

I purposely
illustrated the hardship, the patient, the perseverance and the
self-determination I endeavored in finishing my studies.

My life as a
child, as student and a public servant together with my services rendered as a
lecturer in the church on the Sacrament of Baptism and to the people in the
community are highlighted here. Included here too are my dreams and my
aspirations to become a member of the educational hierarchy to mould the youth
to make them aware of the vital importance of life, the essence of humanity,
the value of education and the love of God.

This biography
was conceived when I planned to retire from the government service as a
classroom teacher in the District of Olutanga, Division of Zamboanga del
Sur.Likewise, this biography will serve
as a prepared speech for my valedictory address on my retirement on May 11, 2002. It will also
serve as a souvenir for my wife, Mrs. Rosenda S. Cichon, my children, my
grandchildren, relatives and friends when I am no longer connected with the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports.

I also extend my
thanks to my parents, my wife, to my children, to my grandchildren and friends
who consoled me during my predicaments and crisis until I was appointed as a
public school teacher on October
13, 1969. Above all, I am very thankful to our Almighty Lord for
all His blessings on me.

I would like to
thank Mr. Eladio Mandawe of Basilan Plantation Company in Isabela, Basilan Province for his moral supports for
framing my personality when I was young and innocent about the real meaning of
life.

I hope that the
readers can pick up some wisdom from the various insights and experiences I
included here.

Jose F. Cichon, Jr.

May 11, 193-April 26, 2005

Chapter I

PARENTAL BACKGROUND

My father was
the late Jose Noo Cichon, a native ofSta. Cruz Lezo, Aklan. He was born in 1900.His parents were Esteban Cichon and Juana Noo
Cichon. He was the second child of the nine (9) children. His brothers and
sister are the following: Segundina, Ereneo, Salvador, Prudencio, Manuseta, Belen, and
Jesus, the youngest child.

My father was a Grade
Seven graduate, a civil service eligible. My uncle Dencio was a lawyer, while
Aunt Mansueta is a dentist. Uncle Jesus was a public school teacher and the
rest were all undergraduates.Aunt Belen
and Aunt Mansueta are all living in Sta. Cruz, Lezo, Aklan, while the rest are
now deceased.

My father was a
government employee, started as a Market Collector, a Municipal Clerk and a
Municipal Treasurer in our Municipality
of Lezo, Aklan until he
retired in 1965 from the government service at the age of sixty-five (65) years
old.After five (5) years he died of
heart attack upon knowing that my elder brother, Alfreo, died in Zamboanga City on November 27, 1969.He was buried at Lezo Catholic
Cemetery together with my
sister Ramona who died on July
14, 1999.My father was an
intelligent man. He liked to drink tuba with pulotan. He was fond of telling humorous and green jokes.

My mother was
Desposoria Felomino Francisco, the only daughter of Simplicio Francisco and
Yoya Felomino.According to the story of
my late father, my mother had inherited all the properties of her parents as a
lone daughter after their death.

My mother could
hardly read and write. She learned the basics of reading through the teaching
of her children. She was a sickly woman after giving birth to eight (8)
children.She died in Zamboanga City
of stomach cancer in 1973.She was
buried at Sta. Cruz Public
Cemetery in Zamboanga City. It was also there where the
remains of my brothers, Pablo and Alfreo, were buried.

I am the sixth
(6th) child of the eight (8) children of the family.They are Pablo, Manuel, Alfreo, Ramona,
Liberata, Jose, Lucia and Melchor. My late brother Pablo was a Bachelor of Arts
graduate, major in Mathematics at Northwestern Visayan Colleges, Kalibo, Aklan,
a teacher and writer. He worked in the Post Office in Zamboanga City,
but he resigned and became a businessman.My late brother Manuel was a graduate of Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education and a Bachelor of Laws at Zamboanga A.E. Colleges,
Zamboanga City, a teacher, a DILG Personnel Officer in Region IX, Zamboanga
City. He retired at the age of sixty-five (65) years old and died of a prostate
gland cancer in August, 1990.He was
buried at Lezo Municipal Cemetery,
Lezo, Aklan.My late brother Alfreo was
a high school graduate, a Bureau of Forestry employee and a businessman. He
died also of a stomach cancer and was buried at Sta. Cruz Public Cemetery,
Zamboanga City. My late sister Ramona was a high
school student and a Day Care Teacher.She died of heart attack and was buried at Lezo Public
Cemetery, Lezo,
Aklan.My sister Liberata was a Grade
six graduate, a businesswoman. Lucia, a second year high school, is a
businesswoman.Melchor, the youngest
child, is Certificate in Fisheries graduate at the University of the Philippines in
Diliman, Quezon City.
He also holds three graduate degrees, an award winningpoet, and a lecturer at the University of the
Philippines
in the Visayas. He is the present Head, College of Fisheries
and Ocean Sciences Library, University of the Philippines in the Visayas,
Miag-ao, Iloilo.
His has written two books: Ham-at Madueom Ro Gabii? (Bakit
Madilim Ang Gabi?), 1999, and Philippine Oddities, 2001.

As of this
writing, my three (3) brothers and one (1) sister had died. Of the eight
children, two boys and two girls are left behind. My two living sisters
(Liberata and Lucia) are residing in Sta. Cruz, Lezo, Aklan, while my brother,
Melchor, stays in Mandurriao, Iloilo
City.

CHAPTER
II

EDUCATIONAL
BACKGROUND

After the Second
World War in 1945, all schools buildings in Aklan were destroyed. During that
time, all classes were held in the houses of the teachers.Some classes were held in the bodegas and in
the town plaza.So, when I attended my
Grade I class in 1946-1947, our classes were held in the house of our teacher,
Mrs. Rosario Zaldiver at Lezo, Aklan.My
teacher was a tall woman and very strict.I learned my ABC from her. I also learned reading, writing and the
fundamental operations in mathematics.My teacher in Grade Two was Mrs. Teodora Irada, a very kind and honest
teacher.Our classes were held in their
house because there were no school buildings. In my Grade Two, I learned
reading, simple grammar, and some mathematical operations. My teacher in Grade
Three was Mrs. Amparo Alboleda, a beautiful teacher of Lezo Elementary School,
a newly constructed school building after the war. My teacher in Grade Four was
Mr. Ludevico Advincula. He too became my critic teacher during my Internship
training in Aklan
College, Kalibo, Aklan.
My teacher in Grade Five was Mrs. Josefa Laudous and my Grade Six teacher was
Miss Nancy Iguban from Malinao, Aklan. I graduated my elementary Education in
April, 1952 at Lezo
Elementary School,
District of Numancia, Division of Aklan.

From 1952 to
1954, I worked as a Market Boy in the different Public Markets in the Province of Aklan. My companions were Albert
Selorio, Smith Selorio and Odong de Mariano. Our work was to carry the
different merchandizes such as cans of puto and bibingka, boxes of fish and
other commodities to be placed in the Market Stalls. One time, I carried a box
of fish and because I had not enough strength, I lost my balance and stumbled
down and the fish were scattered on the ground. I was thankful that the owner
was kind enough and understanding. She did not ask me to pay the damages. My
companions helped pick up the fish and assisted the owner sold the fish.

My little
earnings as a market boy were given to my mother for my future education.I also ground rice of Nanay Diday for the
ingredient of puto and bibingka at ten (P0.10) centavos per ganta. At that time
the price of Coca-Cola was ten centavos per bottle. I also worked as a Bus
helper in the Madjaas Transit plying from Lezo, Numancia, Malinao, Kalibo and
vise versa with two (P2.00) pesos as my daily honorarium.After working as a laborer for two years, I
enrolled in the secondary education in Aklan College,
Kalibo, Aklan with more or less ten kilometers away from my house together with
my sister Lucia and my cousin Emelio Trinidad. We boarded in the house of Mrs.
Exaltacion Mendoza at Roxas Street,
Kalibo with the house rental of three (P3.00) pesos per month.But they stopped their studies when were in
second year high school.I continued
with my studies as a working student cleaning the room number 14 in the high
school department until I graduated my secondary education on March 25, 1958.

On July 5, 1958, I asked
permission from my parents to go to Zamboanga
City to look for a better
life.My father gave me twenty-five
(P25.00) pesos as my transportation and food allowance for my travel. I took a
bus from Kalibo to Iloilo
City and boarded a boat
and reached Zamboanga
City on July 6, 1958. I went
directly to the Zamboanga General
Hospital. There I met my
cousin Nading Serano who brought me to the house of my brother Manuel at Pilar Street, Zamboanga City. My brother then accompanied me to
the house of my uncle, Atty. Dencio Cichon, at Campaner Street where he gave me a note
for Mr. Eladio Mandawe. The following day, July 7, 1958, I boarded a boat and reached
Isabela at 9:00 o’clock in
the morning. I looked for the address of Mr. Mandawe in Kabunbata, Isabela, Basilan City at 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon. I handed him the letter of
Uncle Dencio and he advised me to stay with him and on the following day, I
started my work as a member of the Pest and
Diseases Control Unit of the Basilan Agricultural Company. My starting salary
was P2.85 per day.

My companions
were Cesar Alvarez, Felix, Tanong, Jun Cocotano, and Pedro Gimino as our
Capataz.Our duty was to apply an oil
stimulant into the tapping area of the rubber tree to produce more latex.Our unit was also in-charged of applying
fertilizer and spraying the plants of the company.The plants were the following: rubber trees,
cacao, black pepper, coffee, coconuts, and vanilla.Our work started at 6:00 a.m. until 3:00p.m., from Monday to Friday. We worked half-day on
Saturdays. Pay day was scheduled on Saturday afternoon. My weekly salary was
about P72.00 to P80.00 depending on my overtime and special holiday.

I stayed in the
house of Mr. Mandawe at Kabunbata, Isabela, Basilan City.
It was about three kilometers away from the city proper of Isabela.Mr. Mandawe had six children.They were Fe, Luz, Portia, Lorna, Dodong, and
Carlos. The children were so kind to me that they considered me as their elder
brother.During night time, I taught
them the rudiment of reading and the fundamental operations of mathematics. My
close rapport with the children had helped me in many ways. From them I learned
to speak Cebuano dialect because I could not understand this dialect when I
arrived in Zamboanga. I used to speak English and Filipino in communicating
with them.

I stayed with
the family of Mr. Mandawe for almost four years until my cousin Rudy arrived to
look for a job in the company.He was
also recommended as a casual laborer. I requested from Mr. Mandawe that we transfer
to the barrack which was only adjacent to their house.We were contented with our life in the new
building, but we did not stay long in the company due to our meager salary. I
voluntarily tendered my resignation and went to Diplahan, Zamboanga el Sur
together with my cousin Rudy.There I
receive P180.00 per month.

My life in
Isabela, Basilan City had helped me a lot for the
development of my personality. I learned to talk Cebuano, and Tausog. I also
learned to write letters to Pen Pals . I also learned to go with people with
all walks of life and above all, I learned the essence and the value of life.
It was considered a very rich experience in my life.

Although, I was
already away from Basilan
Island, the goodness,
kindness and the loving care of Mr. Mandawe and his family would still linger
on me.My gratitude from him always
remained fresh in my memory and I thought I could not repay their goodness.I wanted to visit Basilan, but I could not do
it because of the distance. My only consolation was to send a letter to Mr.
Mandawe and inform him of my present status and to extend my thanks for all his
goodness he had extended to me.

One time, I met
his brothers Victor and Ju Madawe at Sagasa, Mabuhay, Zamboanga del Sur. I
invited them for a dinner at Bateria, Olutanga, Zambonaga del Sur and I was
happy that they did not turn me down.We
had a nice conversation about our life in Basilan and our present life. They
left Bateria with full contentment and full of satisfaction. On the other hand,
I was happy that I have repaid a little about the gratitude that I have owed to
their family.

In my new
environment in the Bureau of Forestry, I felt secured due to the presence of my
brothers Pablo and Alfreo.With my
salary, I encouraged my brother Melchor to enroll at the University of the Philippines,
Diliman, Quezon City.
He enrolled in the Certificate in Fisheries degree. I sent him his monthly
allowance through money order in Malangas, Zamboanga del Sur.After two (2) years of providing financial
assistance to him, I received a letter from him informing me that he had a job
in the University. He advised me not to send him allowance anymore.

Chapter III

MY COLLEGE EDUCATION

My life in the
Bureau of Forestry was interwovened with varied activities. I always joined the
social activities in the community particularly in the school programs of the
teachers implementing some of the government thrusts and attending some special
occasions and parties of the teachers of Sta. Fe Primary School, district of
Malangas.My rapport with the teachers
of the school had encouraged me to pursue with my studies in college.On May 25,1964, my brother Pablo advised me to go to Zamboanga City to take the entrance examination at
Zamboanga Normal College.
Fortunately I passed the said examination as a top three among the
examinees.I went back to Diplahan,
Zamboanga del Sur and on June
5, 1954 I voluntarily tendered my personal resignation in the
Bureau of Forestry.My separation pay
together with my little saving helped me much for my college education.I enrolled in the Zamboanga Normal
College, Zamboanga City taking Bachelor of Science in
Elementary Education.I bought the
needed materials for my schooling such as a bicycle, a dozen of polo shirts,
three pants, two pair of shoes, a couple of ROTC uniforms and other things
needed for my college life. I also deposited some amount of money in the bank
for my future expanses in the city.

All qualified
enrollees for the freshman students were given test to determine their
section.The test was composed of
hearing through radio, visual test through slides show, written and composition
writing. I was ranked number 14; automatically I was placed in Section One Class,
considered as the cream of the freshman students for the school year 1954-1965.
We were forty-five students in the class composed of twelve valedictorians,
thirteen salutatorians, two American Field Scholars by the name of Miss Fatima
Allian and Miss Elizabeth Esperat; the rest were all honors students from their
high school except me who graduated from high school without honors and have
stopped schooling for almost six years.

I attended my
classes religiously, but I could hardly cop up with my lessons due to my poor
reading comprehension. I remembered that I was always in the lowest rank in one
of my subjects, the Library Science under Mrs. Duldulao, but because of
sentimental reasons, she gave me a passing grade. I failed in Mathematics I
under Miss Lim.

To improve my
reading comprehension, I researched. I read books on intelligent authors and I
discovered that memorizing a stanza of poems daily can help develop reading
comprehension. Since I was working in the library, I read a lot of books,
memorized some verses and a stanza of poems daily. Later I noticed that my
reading comprehension was indeed improving. That encouraged me to participate
in class discussions.

In my second
year at Zamboanga
Normal College,
I joined the debating Class and attended special classes in grammar and
composition.I also joined the Dance
Troop wherein I learned different kinds of local and foreign dances.

On March 25, 1966, I graduated
in my ROTC Basic course in Andrew Air Base at Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City
with Mayor Cesar Climaco as a Guest Speaker.

Since my
saving in the bank was already exhausted, with my elder brother Pablo also resigned
from his job and my sweetheart, Miss Luisa Nunal, from Busay, Basilan Province
had betrayed me, I decided to drop out of college. I went to Manila together with my Uncle Dencio without
taking the final examination of my five subjects, thus I got in-complete
grades. I learned this when Igot my
Official Transcript of Records in Zamboanga
Normal College,
Zamboanga City.

In Manila, I stayed in the
house of my cousin Manang Aida Cichon, a Doctor of Medicine at Flerida Street,
Pandacan, Manila.I became their house boy. I cleaned their
two-storey house. I cooked their foods and took care of their children.

I looked for a
job, but I was unfortunate. I also applied as a delivery boy at the Remo’s
Repacking Company, but I did not stay long because of the unfixed salary. I
requested my cousin Nong Pedro that I would go with him to his work in the
Imelda barge stationed at the Del
Pan Bridge
in front of Intramuros, Manila.
Our work was to unload pellets and placed them at the foreign boat bound for England as a
raw material for making chocolate candy.With my earnings in the barge, I bought a ticket and went home to Sta.
Cruz, Lezo, Aklan.

I informed my
parents about my ardent desire to continue with my studies for the next opening
of classes. In June, 1996, I enrolled at the Aklan College,
Kalibo, Aklan as a second year irregular in the Normal Department. I requested
Mr. Federico Mabasa, In-Charge of the working Students of the school to allow
me to work as a working student. He granted my request. I was assigned to work
as a cleaner of the two rooms numbers 13-14 in the third floor of the College
Department.My work would start at 7:00 o’clock in the evening and would
end at 9:00 o’clock in the
evening. We also applied floor wax every end of the month.

My college
life in Aklan College was hard, but I endured.I attended my class during the day and I
cleaned two rooms in the evening. I had no more time for my studies because of
tiredness and fatigue. I requested the School Registrar that I be allowed to
enroll seven to eight or nine subjects for me to immediately recover the
subjects I left behind in Zamboanga
Normal College
and would allow me to finish the course sooner. I also took summer classes.

I did not
apply as a working student anymore during my Internship classes for the first
semester for the school year 1968-1969 because I had no more time to work in
school.For the first time, I requested
my parents to pay for my tuition fees and other school obligations. I chose
Lezo Elementary School as my training center during my Off-Campus training for
the following reasons : first, Lezo Elementary School is my Alma Mater in my
Elementary Education; second, Lezo is my home place, and third, I wanted to
prove to my relatives that sooner or later, I would become a professional like
them.I did not stay long in my training
center because our Dean in the Normal Department, Mr. Jose Ricafuente requested
me to be his assistant in supervising all the off-campus student teachers in
the whole province
of Aklan. Mr. Ricafuente
and I would go around in the different schools in the Division of Aklan wherein
the Off-Campus Student Teachers were assigned. With this, I acquired little
knowledge and skills in dealing with the high ranking personnel in the public
schools.

On November 2, 1968, I
graduated with the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Loyalty
Medal awarded by the school, Aklan
College.

Obtaining my
College Diploma was very hard, but I succeeded because of my
self-determination, patience and fervent prayers.I was able to fulfill my elusive dreams of becoming
a teacher.I could hardly believe that I
would become a professional because of poverty.But all those bitter experiences were only a great challenge in my life.At last, I can shout to the whole world that
I have harvested the fruits of my labor, the dearest Diploma. This is a tangible
fulfillment of my ambition.Deep in my
heart, I am extending my million thanks to my parents, brothers and sisters and
to all my friends for their moral, spiritual and financial supports on my
studies. Above all I am sending my million thanks to our Almighty Lord for all
his blessings that He had showered on me while I was harboring the wide blue
ocean searching my impossible dreams to become a professional.

Chapter IV

BACKGROUND IN
GOVERNMENT SERVICES

After
I graduated with my degree, the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in Aklan College,
Kalibo, Aklan on November 2,
1968, I went to Manila
together with my father to claim for his retirement pay as a Municipal
Treasurer in our Municipality. We stayed again in the house of my cousin Manang
Aida, a Doctor of Medicines at Flerida
Street, Pandacan, Manila. My father also helped me look for a
job in the different companies, but failed to have one until my father left for
Aklan after he had accomplished his mission. I was left behind in Manila and stayed in the
house of my cousin Emelio Filomino at Paco
Street, Pandacan, Manila. My cousin was a driver at the 3-R
Brothers, a Bus Company plying in Zamora,
Quiapo and vice versa. My former classmate in high school, Mr. Edelberto Gallardo
recommended me to work in MERALCO, but I was not accommodated. I also applied
in U.P. at Padre Faura for clerical work, but still was in vain.

With
all the frustrations in the beautiful city of Manila, I went to Zamboanga City.
I took the Competitive Examination in Jolo, Sulu and got top three in the said
examination, but still I was not given a Job Order. My brother Manuel also
helped me convinced Superintendent Madjorsa about my appointment, but still
refused to appoint me. He informed me later that Christian applicant teachers
has no place in his Division. On the following day, I went home to Kumalarang,
Zamboanga del Sur and fortunately I was accommodated in the Bureau of Forestry
assigned in Kabasada Lumber Company.

I
heard a news from the teachers in Kumalarang that the Competitive
Examinationgiven in June, 1969 by the
Division of Zamboanga del Sur was declared null and void and advised that all
teacher applicants who took the test would have to take another examination.
So, again I took the said Competitive Examination. Fortunately I topped the
said Competitive Examination among the teachers applicant in the District of
Kumalarang. I kept silent about the results of the test and continued doing my
routine works in the Bureau of Forestry. In one of my vacant times, I went to
the District Office of Kumalarang District. I invited some male teachers and
the District staff for refreshment in the nearby store. We talked about the
programs of the government and the life of the teachers in the community. I
heard from them that one hundred eighty (180) extension positions for teachers in
the Division of Zamboanga del Sur were allotted. They asked me the whereabouts
of Mr. Jose F. Cichon, Jr. for he qualified for the extension position teacher,
but I ignored their inquiry until I was called by the District Supervisor to
report to the Division Office, Pagadian
City to get the Job Order
as an Elementary Grades Teacher in the District of Olutanga effective October 11, 1969.

I
informed my brother Manong Alfring about my new employment in the DECS. I
immediately went to Pagadian
City and got my Job Order
in the Division Office. I also tendered my voluntary resignation from the
Bureau of Forestry and arranged everything. I also bade goodbye to my relatives
and friends. On the following day, October 12, 1969 I left for Olutanga, Zamboanga del Sur
knowing nothing of the place. I brought along my Job Order and a fervent prayer
that I could reach the place safe and sound. I took a pump boat in Malangas
bound for Talusan, Zamboanga del Sur. Fortunately
I met a teacher in the name of Miss Fuentes from Ozamis City
who was also an extension teacher assigned in Oluntaga. We reached Paganipay,
Talusan, Zamboanga del Sur at 5:30
in the afternoon, October
12, 1969. We slept in the house of Mr. Benjamin Supiter, Sr., a
head teacher of Laparay
Elementary School. I
introduced myself to him and informed them of my Job Order. We ate our supper
and had a nice conversation regarding Olutanga Island.
I bought a case of beer to make our story lively until we said goodnight.

On
the following day, October
13, 1969, Mr. Supiter accompanied us in the house of Mr. Sulficio
M. Salazar, the District Supervisor in the District of OLutanga. I presented to
him my Job Order. He assisted me in accomplishing all the needed pertinent
papers and informed of my school assignment at Bumba Primary School
vice Mr. Paterno Cuajutor who transferred to Olutanga Central
Elementary School.

I
reported to my station and stayed in the house of Mr. Jesus Mallen, a Leyteño,
a kind and understanding man. The place is inhabited by both Christians and
Muslims.

My
training in college together with my experiences in Basilan helped me much in
adjusting in my new environment. The following day, I reported to the school
together with Mr. Cuajutor with the feeling of loneliness because after the
briefing of the incumbent teacher I learned that no one would help me and
assist me in solving the problems of the school and the community. My only
consolation was to pray for guidance from our Lord.

Mt
first day of service in the Department of Education, Culture and Sports at Bumba Primary
School, Olutanga District, Division of Zamboanga
del Sur on October 13, 1969
was interwoven with happiness and sadness. I handled double combination classes
composed of Grade III and Grade IV. I started my lessons with a prayer followed
by introducing to one another. I also injected my lessons with jokes and
anecdotes to make the class lively and enjoyable. My experiences in Basilan
living with our brother Muslims helped me a lot in teaching and communicating with
Muslim pupils. I also introduced myself to the people in the community and told
them of my mission and vision as a teacher in their area. I also called for the
PTA meeting and discussed with them the problems of the school and the
attendance of the school children.

After
a couple of months, the school building was renovated. The people in the
community were also cooperative in the school activities. They constructed the
school toilet, fencing the academic building and improved the green revolution
project of the school. I also advised the pupils to plant fruit trees around
the school site to make the school more meaningful to the eyes of the people in
the community.

I
stayed in Bumba, Mabuhay, Zamboanga del Sur for more or less five (5) years
then transferred to Punawan
Primary School, Punawan,
Mabuhay, Zamboanga del Sur with two (2) school teachers.

My
life as a teacher was a very enjoyable one. I used my vacant time in courting
beautiful teachers and because of my age of thirty-three (33), I decided to
have a life time partner. I courted Miss Rosenda Sejoyla, a public school
teacher at Catipan
Elementary School, a
native of Bagong Argao, Molave, Zamboanga del Sur and convinced her for our
marriage on December 31,
1970. We prepared our long table. Judge Domicillo officiated our
wedding ceremony in the house of Mrs. Tapales in Mabuhay, Zamboanga del Sur.
Our sponsors were Ninang Julfa Soriano, Ninong Joseph Ijirani and the
Municaipal Treasurer which I forgot his name. We got married also in a catholic
church with Father Reymundo Algarate as an Officiating Priest. We are blessed
with four (4) children a boy and three (3) girls. They are Adrian, Nancy,
Reggie and Joslyn. The eldest, then a third year college taking nautical
Engineering at Marine Science and Technology, Zamboanga City, died at the age
of eighteen years and eleven months old on September 20, 1990 at Lustre Street,
Zamboanga City by an unknown killer. The second child is Dr. Nancy S. Cichon, a
doctor of Dental Medicine. She graduated at the Misamis University,
Ozamis City. The third is Reggie C. Medija, a
public school teacher at Tambanan
Elementary School,
District of Olutanga, Division of Zamboanga del Sur and the youngest is Mrs. Joslyn
C. Temporada, a bachelor of Elementary Education graduate at Misamis University,
Ozamis City and PRC passer. At this present,
Joslyn is an applicant teacher. It is hoped and prayed that she will be given
an item soon. As of now, all my children are all marriage and live happily with
their own family.

As
of 2002, I have four (4) grandchildren, all females. They are Jhonel C.
Temporada, Shena Mae C. Medija, Stephanie C. Medija and Zyra Mae C. Germine.
They are all healthy, movable, noisy and very talkative kids.

Due
to the problems that occurred in Olutanga
Island, in 1972, all
schools in the district were closed and the teachers were advised to be re
–assigned in other districts. My wife and I were reassigned in the District of
Diplahan, but we did not stay long because the peace and order had returned to
normal and all the teachers were assigned and reported to their respective
stations. I was assigned in Laparay
Elementary School while
my wife Rosenda was assigned in Catipan
Elementary School. I did
not stay long in Laparay because I was transferred to Bateria Elementary School
which is nearer to my house on August
23, 1974 as a Teacher In-charge of the three-teacher school. My
teachers were Mrs. Soledad Fuentes, Mrs. Marcela Moral and myself. I used all my
initiatives for the improvement of the school and within three (3) years of operation,
the school became a complete Elementary School with seven (7) teachers in 1977.
Because my children were entering high school together with a slight conflict
with the Barangay Captain, I requested for a transfer at Olutanga Central
Elementary School and
temporarily I was assigned in the District Office. I was again transferred to
Tungawan District. I did not stay long also in Kalines due to the distance of
my family. I was transferred to Tambanan
Elementary School and stayed
there for only seven (7) months then transferred again to Olutanga Central
Elementary School as a
Grade VI teacher. When Mr. Sahibul Halipa was transferred to Malangas due to
our petition, Mr. Bueno L. Abbas, the new District Supervisor designated me as
his NFE District Non-Formal Education Coordinator in 1986 as my prize for the
petition.

In
my new assignment as a District Staff, I learned many office works such as;
writing all types of District communications, reproduction of the different
forms and solving the problems of the teachers particularly on their pending
salaries. I was also designated as a Teacher In-charge of Villacorte Elementary
School vice Mrs. Rosalina Misa, who retired in
1986. My works in the District Office were interwovened with different
activities from supervising the teachers of the school, planning of the
district activities and accomplishing tremendous reports in the District for
the Division Office.

I
enjoyed much in my office works because I learned many things in them, but
because of the retirement of Mr. Bueno L. Abbas, the District Supervisor, on December 31, 1993, I was
replaced by Mr. Jesus Pilanga as an NFE District Coordinator without informing
me by the new District Head. I considered this matter as an injustice act done
to me by the new administrator.

From
that time, I only devoted my time supervising the teachers of Villacorte Elementary
School and reported to the District Office only
to submit the monthly reports. I was also bonded not to attend any meets,
seminar and other district activities. I do not have enough knowledge of the
untoward behavior of the new administrator notwithstanding the facts that she
got the lion shares when Mr. Halipa was petitioned. My only wish is that God
will give her big shares of punishments while she lives.

My
life as a teacher from October
13, 1969 to May
11, 2002 was a very wonderful one. I have installed in the minds of
thousands of school children the moral values, educate them and trained them to
become productive, useful and upright citizens in their community.

I
have not experienced the feeling of happiness in line of promotion in the
annual educational hierarchy, because I am always against the unlawful
activities of the administrators. But I am contented that I have not done
injustices to my fellowmen during my entire services in the government. My only
wish is that God will always give me good health, sound mind and away from any
harm. I am also contended because all my children have graduated their chosen
career and live happily with their own families.

I enjoy telling stories
to my four grandchildren, and giving lectures to the parents and sponsors of
children who desire to receive the sacrament of Baptism every third Saturday of
the month and to attend to the church and Capilla activities as a member of
KAABAG in the Nuestra Senora de los Remedios Parish Church.

My routine
activities are to report to Villacorte
Elementary School,
supervise the teachers and teach the Grade IV, until I will apply for
retirement on May 11, 2002
as a Teacher 3 in the Department of Education, Culture and Sports, at Olutanga
District, Division of Zamboanga del Sur.

As of now. I am looking forward for the next
horizon that will happen in my life. However, I will still continue working in
the church as a lecturer in the Sacrament of Baptism every third Saturday on
the month. My only wish is to ask our
Almighty Lord to protect me in all myundertakings,
to give me proper guidance and to continue serving mankind particularly in line
of educational activities and pray that God will always bestow on me good
health so that I could still serve the people, my family and the church as
tangible manifestation of serving the Pilipino people. My greatest dream
includes of having a bungalow house for my family after retirement from the
Department of Education, Culture and Sports. So, please help me Lord.

******

It had been my long ardent
desire to write this autobiography, but it was all in vain because of my
inadequate knowledge in writing it. My heartfelt thanks to my brother, Melchor,
for editing this work.

Prologue

By

MFC

After a series of consultations and treatment both at the
Philippine General Hospital in Manila
and at the Zamboanga General
Hospital in Zamboanga City, Nong Peping was diagnosed with a
lung cancer. Since his illness was already on the 4th stage, he was
just advised to go home.

From Manila,
Nong Peping went home to Olutanga, Zamboanga del Sur. But again he was attacked
with his illness, and so he was sent to the Zamboanga General Hospital
in Zamboanga City. But he did not stay long in the
hospital because of his illness, he stayed in the house of Lemuel Nabiong, our
nephew, in Zamboanga
City.

And he passed away there.

His body was brought back to his house in Olutanga one day
after his death.

He was buried just beside his son’s tomb.

During the eulogy, his former co-teacher sung this song:

Ang puluy-anan mo nga yutan-on

Dunay kalipay ug kagul-anan

May pagkatawa ug may paghilak

Deli masobtan ang kinabuhi.

Ang puluy-anan mo nga yutan-on

Tahum tan-awon sa buntag lang

Sama sa bulak nga nangalimyon

Sa kahaponon malawos lang.

Chorus

Apan may puluy-anan

Nga imo ng hikaplagan

Kini giandam na sa atong

Dios sa kalangitan

Didto way kamatayon

Lonlon kalipay ug way kasakit

Tahum ang puluy-anan

Way katapusan ang kalipay

Ang puluy-anan mo nga yutan-on

Sa di madugay imong talikdan

Didto sa langit ikaw moadto

Sa puluy-anan bulawan

Repeat Chorus

Nong Peping was a member of Knight of Columbus. One of his
brother also delivered a eulogy.

His principal, Mr. Teovaldo D. Lledo delivered a short
speech.

This is the moment and encounter
of late Jose Cichon, Jr.

Your name is a legend to someone.

The tick of the second signifies
our loneliness and rekindle the precious time of our togetherness when we
remind the moment in time.

This man is very
precious/significant when there’s an issue to be resolved.We took advantage of his ideas, his writings,
and rationality of purposes.

Irrelevant to some but advantages
to many and when given a time, it will satisfy your intention.

His departure to eternity is in
place.—for death is one of the conditions in after life. To return on our
omnipotence preparation is very much significant.